It's not easy for a child when her parent has to leave, even if it's for a little while.

"Do you have to?"

"It's part of the job, baby doll, I gotta go."

"Can't I come with you?"

"No, Maria." Striker's tail rattled. "We've been through this, the livin' world's not a safe place for a little one like you."

Granted, this would be his first time going to up there, but he wasn't willing to take any chances with his daughter just yet.

Maria pouted, "I'm not that little!"

"Yer five years old, girl."

"I won't get in your way."

"Honey, you have no idea what's even up there or what could happen."

"But daddy-"

"No 'buts', missy, I mean it." Striker warned sternly. "Yer stayin' here and that's that, ya hear me?"

All of a sudden, Maria clung onto him, laying her head against his shoulder. The minute she started to cry, Striker understood the true reason she was so upset and immediately embraced her. He hadn't seen her like this since that last cattle drive back at the ranch; they'd been gone a little longer than expected thanks to some stragglers.

"Hey, hey, it's okay, sugarplum."

"I don't want you to go."

Striker gently released her so he could look at her. "Don't worry, baby girl. I won't be gone long. I'm just gonna go up there, get the job done, and come right back to ya. Until then, I need ya to stay here and keep an eye on things around here. Can ya do that for me?"

The impling sniffled but nodded.

"That's my girl."

Someone knocked on the office door. "Hey, sorry to interrupt your little daddy daughter time, Strikes, but we got some child molesters to axe off. So, let's get going, alright?"

Maria-thankfully-was too sad to even ask what that meant. Striker kissed her forehead then stood up and walked out of Blitz's office. She slowly followed suit, just in time to see the portal to the living world open. Her eyes filled with tears again as she watched the older imps prepare to leave.

Striker froze hearing his daughter cry; his heart ached at the sound. Luckily, Millie managed to shove Blitz through and Moxxie ushered him to go soothe her before following them. Quick as lightning, the cowboy scooped her up in his arms giving her an extra tight cuddle.

"Shh shh shh, there, there, baby doll. It's okay, I'll be okay. Just sit tight and look out for me, okay?"

"Mm-hmm... I'm sorry."

"Aww sweetie, don't be sorry." Striker assured her, wiping her tears. "I'll be back soon, I promise."

Despite her small smile and nod, Maria's eyes were still watery as her dad gave her another kiss on the forehead then made his way through the portal, not before looking back and giving her a wave. Once it closed, he sighed, running his hand over his face.

"Sorry 'bout that. She's not used to me leaving her behind."

Millie spoke up first, "It's okay, Striker. All kids get separation anxiety, it's natural, especially at her age. Besides, she'll be glad to see ya when we get back. Try to think about that, would ya?"

Striker was a little relieved; that's exactly what he intended to do.

Back at I.M.P., Maria struggled to climb up onto the couch but made it successfully without falling. If daddy to sit tight and wait for him, she'll do it.

"You okay, squirt?" Loona asked; she seemed genuinely concerned having witnessed the whole thing.

"Not really." Was Maria's response as she played with her skirt a little.

The hellhound spotted a blank sheet of paper. "You like drawing, right? I bet your dad would like to see something really good from you when he gets back."

Maria perked up at that. She immediately sprang from the couch, grabbed the paper, then ran back to the office to fetch her crayons.